Why do my Google Voice SMS messages come from area code 406?

This is very weird. The SMS messages I get from Google Voice are always from 406 numbers. What’s 406 and why is it always from the same place?

Actually, one of the most powerful features of Google Voice is the ability to forward SMS messages. For example, if you want to try a new cell phone/carrier for a week, you can simply forward your old number to your new – but there is no simple way to forward your SMS messages.
The idea behind Google Voice is a single phone number for all of your needs, you then determine how and where to handle the calls. SMS messages use the phone number as the address – and since the Google number is not the same as your cell number, they need to provide an intermediary within the service.The intermediary in question is apparently located in Montana’s area code 406. Google most likely required 1000s of phone numbers and fond them in Montana. When you send an SMS from Google Voice, say to Joe at 303-555-1212, Google translates the address to a 406 number which is now “permanently” mapped to Joe.
The 406 number along with your Google Voice number is a unique 20 digit code now associated with Joe in your account only. When Joe receives the SMS, it will be from your Google Voice number (not a 406 number). This is important – so replies go back through Google Voice (SMS messages addressed to your cell phone’s number bypass Google Voice). The only one who sees the 406 is the Google Voice user.
Now the only problem is telling you, the Google Voice user, who the message is actually from. The SMS header will indicate a 406 address. Google will insert into the beginning of the actual text either the real SMS address or if that number is in your contacts, the appropriate name. This of course takes up some space – and if necessary Google Voice will split the SMS into additional messages.
Once you get the 406 number, it appears you can freely use it for SMS and phone calls from a Google Voice phone. It won’t work from a phone not associated with your Google Voice account. This dramatically simplifies outbound Google Voice calls which can only be initiated otherwise from the web portal or telephone attendant system. There are two reasons to make outbound calls from Google Voice, one is free domestic (and SMS) calls with inexpensive international and the other is to keep your private numbers private.
Another key benefit to running your SMS messages through your Google Voice account is all SMS messages (in and out) are stored in your GoogleVoice inbox; complete with Google search.

This blog entry was written by contributing editor Dave Michels, Telecommunications Protagonist at Pin Drop Soup.com and Principal of Buffalo Communications, Denver.

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I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by
buying you a cup of coffee!

Wow, I live in Montana and that just messes stuff up for us, we are one of the few states left that has one area code, If google buys enough blocks of numbers doesn’t that mean that eventually we will need another area code? Would that also mean that local companies would be charged for having to instate another in effect raising another tax on Montana residents? I don’t know if that scenario is true, but if so that sucks big time. Even if we like it the way it is we don’t want another area code #’s are easily remembered this way. Google that’s just stupid, buy your blocks from your own state.

I can’t even really fathom the backend that’s got to be running this thing and the amount of programming that has to have taken place (be taking place) to make all the handshaking happen correctly. Then again, it is Google.
Pretty fascinating stuff. I just got my Google Voice account today and haven’t received any SMS messages yet, but am looking forward to getting them in my inbox instead of on my phone. Not a huge texter myself.
Thanks for clearing up this question before I even asked it. Very intuitive of your site to do that for me. (I didn’t even mean to make the reference to the company name, but just realized I did. Nice!)
Warmest,
Jonathan